Plateau bus attack: Lone survivor recounts how gunmen killed nine passengers
The lone survivor of a deadly attack on a commercial bus in Plateau State has recounted how gunmen opened fire on passengers, killing nine people, including the driver.
The incident occurred on Sunday night at Dungus Junction in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of the state, as the vehicle was travelling towards Jos.
The survivor, Nasiru Garba, who worked as the conductor of the bus, said he escaped death by hiding inside the vehicle when the attackers began shooting.
Garba said the bus had stopped by the roadside to drop off five passengers before the driver stepped down to collect fares.
“We parked by the roadside and dropped off five passengers. After they alighted, the driver got down to collect the transport fare,” he said.
According to him, he was standing at the front of the vehicle when the driver returned and opened the door to get inside.
He said the attackers immediately opened fire on the passengers who had alighted and those still inside the bus.
“All the passengers that had already alighted, the remaining passengers in the bus, and the driver died,” Garba said.
He added that he immediately bent down inside the vehicle after hearing the gunshots as the attackers approached and opened the front door.
Garba described the incident as a terrible experience, saying the attackers searched the vehicle but did not discover him.
“They collected all the money with me and my phone that was being charged. They didn’t talk while carrying out the act and I didn’t look at their faces,” he said.
The conductor also revealed that he had only recently started working on the route, saying the attack occurred on his fourth day on the job.
Confirming the incident, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, said the attack occurred at about 9:40pm.
Tengwong said the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
He said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow, adding that several other passengers sustained gunshot injuries.
“It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” Tengwong said.
He added that some of the injured victims were taken to hospitals for treatment, but some reportedly died from their injuries.
A resident, Musa Dauda, also confirmed the attack, saying the commercial bus was later found riddled with bullets and stained with blood.
The Dungus Junction attack was one of several attacks reported in Plateau State on Sunday night.
Two people were reportedly killed at Vodni in the Pushit District of Mangu Local Government Area, while another two were killed at Tahoos in Riyom Local Government Area.
Four people were also reportedly injured in the Mangu attack and were receiving treatment at a hospital in Mangu town.
The Plateau State Government condemned the attacks, describing the killings in Mangu and the incident at Kuru as deeply disturbing.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government said it was working with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen security across the state.
The government urged residents, particularly those in communities affected by insecurity, to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible and timely information that could help prevent further attacks and lead to the arrest of perpetrators.
It also appealed to residents to avoid reprisal attacks, warning that such actions could worsen the violence and undermine ongoing peace-building efforts.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to making peace a priority under Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
